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By Nora Zelevansky / April 23rd, 2012

If this post is incoherent, it's because I've finally succumbed to exhaustion. Someone send me to one of those resorts/rehab facilities for celebrities, where I can go drink cucumber water and let other people take care of all my crap!

Who knew that setting the stage for a book release was so much work? I guess it isn't unless you make it that way. There's just an endless amount of things you can do to try to promote a novel and, though I'm sure some amount of it doesn't work, you want to exhaust every possible opportunity. At least I do. Still, I'm not complaining because I'm beyond excited (and not suave enough to hide it), but … I am tiiiiiiired.

Anyway, all that sleepiness certainly disappeared for a hot second, when Vicki, my editor at St. Martin's Press, sent me the above book cover, which is close to the finished version. Yay! I'm especially grateful for the effusive blurb from writer Molly Jong. It's just so comforting to get positive feedback at this juncture.

I've taken to Googling myself and the title, Semi-Charmed Life, kind of consistently (yeah, whatever, I admit it) to see if there are any new developments online. That's how I discovered that I'd been added to Goodreads and, just this week, that the book seems to be available for pre-order at Target.com. LOVE me some, Targé! That was very exciting for me.

Meanwhile, I've been a busy bee, trying to pay my rent by writing the usual journalism stuff. Here are some potentially fun reads from the bunch (maybe?):

By Nora Zelevansky / September 30th, 2011

Okay, okay, this time I've been so horribly remiss in posting that I can't even apologize. How many times can I abuse you poor LINTERS and then try to offer you flowers? (Metaphorically speaking, of course. I don't actually HAVE any flowers for any of you.)

That said, I got too obsessed with the above Korres Lip Butter Glaze not to spread the good word. First of all, who the heck ever heard of a "Jasmine" flavored lip glaze? Yes, please! (It does come in other tints/scents, but why would you want that?)

Second, two words: LIP BUTTER. I mean, you know how I feel about body butter, people, and lipgloss. Just think of the the level of euphoria! It goes on like silk, it STAYS on like heaven and it smells divine. AND — in these po' ass times — it only costs $14, so you can buy it without guilt.

Which is good. Because with guilt comes flowers. And that's just an added expense.

By Nora Zelevansky / June 30th, 2011

Since I'm a HUGE Vince fan and I recommended the Natalie bathing suit from Anthropologie and it was (gasp!) all sold out (boo hissssss!), I needed to tell you guys about this HUGE Vince summer sale for BOYS and GIRLS that's happening.

It's crazy! You can get this leather jacket for $300-ish instead of $800-ish:

By Nora Zelevansky / June 28th, 2011

Okay, I'm truly sorry not to be posting a Bachelorette recap today, but I'm off on a trip – first to San Diego and then to Vancouver and Victoria – and will be watching it late.

I'll report back on all that when I return, BUT, in the meantime, I thought I at least owed you some kind of nugget. Above, behold the Natalie One-Piece from Anthropologie, which I KID YOU NOT is the best fitting, most flattering bathing suit that I have ever encountered in my entire life.

Seriously.

It comes in multiple colors (I have the polkadots!) and it's all old Hollywood and stuff, but best of all, it seems to be on sale right now. I feel like I should buy 10 to wear over the next decade. That's how good this thing looks on.

By Nora Zelevansky / August 13th, 2010

The Best Link Today:

Hi Guys. So, I feel like this really doesn't require a lot of fanfare or explanation: Go onto Refinery 29 and you can enter to win 3(!) Rebecca Minkoff bags. I mean, are you KIDDING me? Like, sign me up times twelve!

If any LINTERS happen to win, do let us know so we can live vicariously!!

By Nora Zelevansky / April 20th, 2010

I'm aware that this may fall under the category of incredibly lame PL posts, but I just can't help myself. I created this blog to share my most favorite discoveries and, well, this is one. DEAL WITH IT.

Since Ye Olde Flinstone Vitamin days and, okay, maybe those chalky sour cherry C days, I've not been able to get myself to regularly take vitamins. I buy multis. I take them for a day or two. Then I forget and only remember six months later, when I'm moved to start taking them again. Inevitably, I return to the cupboard to find that they've expired. Then I buy them again.

Until now. Now, I am totally and completely obsessed with the above Sour Gummies (Adult Multivitamins), which are for adults (ahem), but taste so much like yummy candy that I have to talk myself out of eating more than my daily allowance. I like saying "daily allowance."

Andre Vien has asked me about seventy-fives times whether they're for adults because he's been taking them too (and because apparently he doesn't listen when I answer questions!). I haven't tried the regular non-sour variety, but they may do the trick too.

By Nora Zelevansky / April 14th, 2010

You know what? I don't know where I'm going with this. I wish I did. But I don't. I think I just wanted to say "Ace." And now it's even sadder because I admitted it.

Eh, let's just get to the point: Ace Hotel is partnering Havaianas to create limited-edition flip-flops that are available starting on April 15th as part of their in-room minibars (don't mistake them for Toblerone and even them! Though maybe they're less fattening?) and online. They're $22 a pop (for two–heh) and the website only has 50 pairs available, so get on it.

By Nora Zelevansky / April 12th, 2010

Hmm … that sounds a lot better when Eminem says it. Maybe if I also mentioned a drug addict mother and ex-wife Kim?

No offense, Mom. I don't really think you're a crackhead. I'm just selling you out to sound cool. Eh—what do you care? Are you even reading this? MOM? How could you? I'm like this because of you!

Guess who's back, guess who's back, guess who's back!

Did it work better that time, now that I added mommy angst? No? Oh well, screw all ya'll. You just don't understand people like me and Slim Shady.

ANYWAY, I'm back from India and I can't even begin to tackle that situation with this jet-lag (which I will also reserve the right to blame for this incomprehensible post). Suffice it to say that the trip was amazing, but also EXHAUSTING. You know when you just need a vacation from your vacation or overseas jaunt?

That's what makes the timing of this post so perfect! Today marks the beginning of Spa Week nationally, which means that spas around the country (in Arizona, California, Colorado, D.C., Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virgina, Washington and even dear old Canada) are offering special $50 spa treatments (for services like facials and massages that are usually like $150-$200).

Basically, there are participating spas in all the states where there are Real Housewives spin-offs. No, I'm kidding. They would never do Real Housewives of Canada. How boring would THAT be? They'd like be fighting over maple syrup.

But seriously, you have to go to the website, find a local spa and go to one because I just spent like twenty years typing that list of states … and Canada. You think I'm kidding.

Anyway, a lot of high-end kind of awesome spas are involved, so it's definitely worthwhile to check it out. And, while you're at it, grab a rubdown for me. Meanwhile, I'll be passed out, trying to get over my jet lag and some moisture back in my skin.

By Nora Zelevansky / February 16th, 2010

Sometimes you feel like a robe. Sometimes you don't. Unless you're me. Then you feel like wearing a robe all the time and it has to be ripped from your slovenly clutches.

Still, all robes are not created equal. Ever since Andre made me throw out my trusty blue "plush" polyester favorite (years ago and yes, I'm still pining), I've been making my way through a bevy of hotel robes of the cozy terry cloth and cotton variety (usually with my initials embroidered across the upper left side).

They are pretty awesome, I admit. But every once in a while I get a hankering for something pretty and less PRACTICAL.

Recently, I've come across quite a few options in that arena: I could happily hang out all day in the above Plum Pretty Sugar Jardin Bleu robe or Dream Sacks' bamboo Geisha number (out of Ashland, Oregon).

And Andrew would NEVER make me throw those out. Right? That's loungerie alright.